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Russell Investments' general counsel for Europe has retired after 26 years at the $260 billion asset manager.

Jim Firn, general counsel, global product, and head of product and governance, for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, left the firm earlier this month.

His compliance responsibilities will be taken up by Mark Smith, Russell’s director of compliance for Emea, who joined in September 2013 from wealth manager Ashcourt Rowan. Firn had already handed over responsibilities for the Emea legal team to Bruce Botting, general counsel, Emea, in 2008. Botting now joins the European executive committee following Firn’s departure.

During his time with the asset manager, Firn had coordinated the legal, compliance, risk management and internal audit responsibilities within the Emea region, while also talking to governments, regulators and industry groups.

• UPDATE: This story was updated on 14/07/2014 following further information from Russell Investments. Jim Firn, who has retired from Russell Investments, continues to serve as a chairman to a number of Russell management companies and fund boards in Ireland and the Caribbean. A spokeswoman for Russell has also since confirmed that Firn's handed responsibilities for the group's legal team in Emea to Bruce Botting in 2008.